As 2023 comes to an end, the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) is reflecting upon the ways in which we worked in partnership with powerful communities to advance civil rights, end barriers to equity, and cultivate shared healing and belonging. Together, we:
Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI)
- Organized Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Day, which drew 622 virtual attendees
- Supported the passage of a historic ordinance codifying the RSJI into Seattle law
- Hosted a two-day RSJI Summit for the public and City staff focused on healing, belonging, and unity
Commissions
- The Disability Commission successfully advocated for new public wheelchair charging stations
- The LGBTQ Commission broadened their knowledge regarding international LGBTQIA+ issues, including a dialogue with Kazakhstan delegates and issuing statements regarding the Human Rights issues occurring in Ghana
- SOCR commissions convened meetings with civil rights delegates from North America, South America, and Indonesia to learn and share about each other’s work
Civil Rights Enforcement
- Increased community engagement through in-person community events by 13% compared to last year
- Gathered information from customers about how we can improve the services we provide to the community
- Developed new training sessions, print materials, and translated resources for the public to learn about civil rights protections in Seattle
Policy
- Advanced policy work to mitigate the harms of the criminal legal system, including helping facilitate a Racial Equity Toolkit in partnership with Seattle Fire Department for amendments to the Obstruction Ordinance
- Facilitated a workgroup tasked with developing recommendations around community responses to domestic violence, resulting in a report on recommended interventions outside the criminal legal system
- Secured $1.5 million in new investments for domestic violence support
Community Investments
- Oversaw Seattle’s $27 million participatory budgeting process, with six proposals selected through the community voting process
- Released the 2023 Collective Network Request for Proposals, making $1 million available to community-owned strategies that support survivors of domestic violence outside the criminal legal system
The Seattle Office for Civil Rights is grateful to our hardworking staff and commissioners for leading with compassion, integrity, and imagination as we work to advance civil rights for Seattle communities.
